Hi Again

When one of my blogging pal said in an email nearly a year ago, "I think I gave up blogging, but we can still be in contact and I will still be an avid reader of your blog." I was "Whaaaa..aat??!" I enjoyed her blog very much , it's tidily structured and decorated, plus, she's one of those who update her blog regularly every week. She's even much more diligent on that part than I do. I was, "What has gotten to your mind? You can't give up now?!" Well, the same thing almost happened to me. I almost gave up blogging.

On my blogging hiatus, I was so consumed with life and all things happening around me, I was away from the keyboard for almost half a year. I do still read my favorite blogs and what my pals have to say on theirs, I enjoy blogosphere as usual, from outside, looking in. Well, now that I missed Easter, mother's day, father's day, The Queen's Jubilee, and lots of merry things we usually find here, I AM HERE now :) 

Sooo.. a quick catch up about me. I'm 7 months pregnant, it wasn't as easy as my first, so I partly blame the pregnancy for my blogging absent and Baby G is now almost 4. She will be when her sibling arrives. To my pride and joy, Baby G is now fully toilet trained (bye bye diapers, HA!)  and is a master on counting 1 -20 also knowing her ABCs. Pictured above is her own art exhibition.  

June is babalisme's annual FREE Party Printable Month, as usual, you will get to choose between two themes and the chosen one will be shared for free! I will reveal both themes tomorrow, and yes, it will be linked  to my pregnant mood. I hope you don't mind :D

glad to be back. xoxo. 

Double New Year Wishes

table calendar by millimeter milligram 

I'm so sorry for the lack of post and absent in the blogosphere, oh, how I miss visiting and reading blogs. I have been really busy and the start of this year. First, we decided to renovate the old house. Yes, it's the same house my husband's been living for 20 years and hasn't been renovated since, so, Yes, it has few holes and some cracks, shessh. Also, I have been working on my new website which has been on hold for quite some time due to technical problem (now I regret not taking programming classes). Not to mention the usual job deadlines and daily chores. During the middle of hectic planning here and there, I found out that I am expecting my second! Baby G is going to be Big Sister G!! Oh, golly.

So I'm sorry for all the delays, all the late promises and email replies, I'll get back to you later. All I can say is thank you for being a loyal reader and stay tune for more fun this Valentine and a G-I-V-E-A-W-A-Y coming right away. Just bookmark the blog and don't miss out!

Happy belated New Year and Happy Chinese New Year!

What's your resolution this year?

Halloween Month!

Greetings folks! I can believe it's October already! I thought I was just celebrating new year 2011!

I was out of town for several weeks and I was really lost in (internet) connection. So pardon my blog break. I'm back now and ready to give you more ideas and fun this October. *wink* Giveaways (yes, plural) included, so stay tuned.

While I'm saying hello, here's a reminder of Halloween fun at babalisme you can download for free!

mini cards

invitation

patterned paper

girl paper doll

boy version

This year, I was thinking of a grown up Halloween party printable since lots here are suitable for kids (those who are in their hearts). So maybe less orange, more black and ghoulish? What do you think? Do you prefer kiddie theme printable or grown up this year? Vote!

Hey Hey

Hey there, if you were wondering if I am still here or have ended up in a morgue somewhere, well I'm here. Sorry to disappoint you, though I hope you're not, and I secretly hope you're happy instead. I have been busy with my works (who says freelancers has much "free" time?) and planning the big surprise. The surprise would be a great big leap for me since I'm always a scaredy cat on anything. I learnt how to swim at age 12 (*roll eyes* I know!!!) So, I'm really hoping all of you loyal readers of babalisme the blog would give me a huuugeeeeee support on this one. Fingers crossed, I hope all go well.

And some info on the matryoshka party kit, tomorrow will be the last one. Can't wait to see your parties/projects using the free printable. Anyway the kit will be a surprise too. I just love surprises.

And, Oh! All these eye candies were from my latest find in home decor blogosphere, sukkertoy for oyet which coincidentally means "candies for the eyes". It need some goggle translator in action, but it was worth all the 3 seconds translating.

Do you have some new blog finds? Let's share! I love reading new blogs!

Zine Crush

Have I mentioned that I'm a magazine addict? Though I can't deny that the existence of blogs and e-zines has significantly decreased my appetite for monthly subscription. Funny, even some big name magazines have an online version now. But sometimes good things can only be seen, felt, and touched in paper and prints. If you're an old dog like me (and in the mood to really feel the paper while you read, just curious, when is the last time YOU read from a real piece of paper theses days?), these are an array of lovely magazines out there, which stands tall against tsunamis of blogs. Go visit a stall and grab a chewing gum too while you're there.

hello, sandwich. pic from here

Marche (in Japanese) pic from here

Lula. pic from here.

seriously, Martha? Where would we be without you? pic from here.

Grateful

This is my first time to be featured on a real magazine! Yaay!! I missed the issue *sob* for I spend too much time reading blogs and for my short term memory loss ( I bought the wrong magazine, DOH!). Thank you Amesh, nonetheless, who has been such a patient pal along the way :).



p.s I know it's Katy Perry sporting cute headband with her famous California Girls get ups (doubt there are more than the headband and the ring) on the cover but I can assure you that this is not that kind of magazine. It's a young women's lifestyle magazine. Duh, how can you think my blog'd be feature on that kind of magazine?
p.s.s I'm still waiting for my own issue to come (I have it special ordered from the agent) but can't wait to share the news, Amesh provided the photo for me. Such joy!

Bento Paradise

Another newly found hobby since Baby G started pre-school. Bento-making. I wasn't into cooking until recently, seriously. I used to cook something that I could eat. That's it. No fancy recipe, decorations, ingredients.. just well cooked enough so I will not starve. But bento combining something that I really like (drawing) and something that I thought was boring... IT'S FUN! You should try, it's really addictive!


Here's my one and only customer.. curious much, darling? Bento sure does increase little ones' appetite too, I tried same food on a regular plate and a bento box. Which one do you think she'd eat?

New School

Baby G hits the pre-school this week! I'm a proud mama! I don't have any pictures because of the morning rush, school's policy of no camera allowed, and tiredness in the afternoon. This Baby G's new experience would also explain my constant disappearance from blogosphere also. *sob* promise I'd get back to you guys soon!

Anyhoo. Baby G's not in uniform yet, but I love drooling over these at nissen.

New Year New Year

It's terribly late to wish you one, isn't it? However, here's the result of last year resolution; finally, some baking! I don't know the name of it, though, it consisted of flour, sugar, eggs, milk, strawberries and kiwis as toppings, lots and lots of whipping cream.

What's your last year resolution that has been realized?

Doorbells and Sleigh Bells

and schnitzel with noodles.. Pardon me, once again. I promised you not to sing again but with Bing singing, it's hard not to sing along. That is that or I am just too lazy to think of post title. Anna of Hey Bubbles just emailed me that she's been using my printable paperdolls! Double yays when I found out that her blog is filled with holiday delight! Enjoy a little and do take a visit while you're still holding that mouse.





This is the kind of customer picture that I like. I want to little-piggied her toes so bad.

Coming to Town

I got all the present wrapped up, the lights turned on, and the hot chocolate stocked up! It's the craziest Christmas for all of us, don't you think? Snow in Australia at this time?! And I bet some of you must be experiencing the worst winter of all time. I hope for our earth to heal well and we can still, hopefully, inhabit it next year. Wishing you aMerry Christmas and a happy new year .


From babalisme..
See u next year!

Deck the Doors

..with paper reindeer garland falalalala.. .. ..OK, OK! I'll stop singing if you stop sneering. My version of cheap and chic holiday garland, not to mention they can be built in less than 20 minutes. I didn't make any pattern I just got scissors happy, but if you need one, do tell me and I'll try making one. Also, excuse me for all un-reply emails, messages, and comments. I'll be back to blogosphere as soon as I am done with this one deadline. Have fun holiday decorating!

Edible Cuties

hiphostess' chocolate fondue ideas.

I'm so sorry for the lack of posts recently. I have been either arguably terribly busy or just plain lazy. I don't know why but many clients decided to order at this time of the year, yes, every year. So this is probably my busiest season. Anyhoo, been lurking all over baking blog out there because I am learning the how-to. Today Baby G and me baked some classic sugar cookies. I'm practicing for Christmas! No, we don't have any photos to share because being the baker and the photographer isn't easy, the icing didn't look that proper, and the cookies were gone in about a minute or so. I only made a dozen though, the possibility of baking tragedy scares me much.

If you're not afraid of baking failure and in preparation of Christmas dessert options, these might be good ideas to try on.

rikrak studio and june bride's snowflakes cookies. They're having a giveaway too!

A new baking blog, the daily mixer shares a cute chocolate mold tutorial!

You've got Mail

image

Have you ever received a mail, a real one, along with envelopes and stamps, and not liking it? Apart from junk mail, that is. I might sounds a bit crazy but I really really adore all things mail. I love the blue and red stripe on air mail envelopes, I love the ridges on stamps, I love the uneven paint of a post office seal, I even love the smell of freshly delivered mail.

Since all my families and friends prefer texting and tweeting by now, I decided to join little.lovely.'s holiday letter exchange. I can remember when I was a kid, every Christmas was spent by licking stamps and writing addresses. I got creative with decorating the envelopes and picking the right card with the right message for our relatives. It wasn't easy and such a laborious task to do compared to check-listing your email/ facebook contacts and click "Send". I wish for Baby G to remember something from the much forgotten era, that once, a greeting was sent inside an envelope. I think the project is supposed to be random, so if you feel like putting a smile on a stranger's face this holiday, do join :)

Anthology Issue 1

If you're like me, who has more magazines on her rack than clean panties, you'll be thrilled of a new magazine about decor and lifestyle called Anthology. Judging by the cover and the blog, it's a kind of magazine I won't be throwing away in piles. They're having launching party at San Fransisco, lucky you if you live nearby, you can RSVP here. Sigh. Well, the rest of us can sneak peak a little here, and I'm already thrilled!

picture and news via OhJoy.

Anyway, in the mood for some braided pigtails and a little cuteness? Visit for more at All ThingsPeachesandCreams. Yay for playing with Halloweenie doll! Thank you, Taline!

One more question before I leave, have I gotten into the Xmas mood too early?

Halloweenies Around the World!

So, how was fright night? Who were you on Halloween? I read that this year's popular costumes are Snooki and Gaga. LOL, I'd love to see a fabric meat dress and shoes. Anyway, I'm here to share some Halloweenies printable put up to good use.

PinkPug thought she's too old playing magnetic dress up, she thought of better (and more creative) ways to use them. Looking lovely? MUCH!

Amesh ordered an all pirate costume theme for her son Yuara's birthday, here pictured with all the good things she share for the lootbag. I envy her guests. Check out Yuara's 2nd birthday here! I love her puppet show stage and DIY puppets!


I also did Yuara's invitation, which was printed on potato sack fabric! Great idea! The sailboat plushie is Amesh's DIY, I went gaga over it!

If you have printed and played with my Halloweenies printable, plesase do share! I love great surprises like these!

p.s. Some of you might have heard about the earthquake and eruption in Indonesia. It's like the catastrophe in the movie 2012 coming as predicted. My home, fortunately, still miles away from ground zero. But yes, as a country, we are struggling to help and comfort each other as much as we can, right here and now. I hope for your prayers and smiles to keep us strong. If you wish to help more, visit Indonesia Red Cross and distribute your share of help via Red Cross ONLY. Indonesia is listed with most corrupt government officials and lots of faux charity events emerging lately, do not trust easily. If you have trouble reaching Indonesian Red Cross, you can contact your local Red Cross or email me for any further questions. Thank you for all your support.

Sneak Peek

Can't really believe that Baby G's going to turn 2 this month! When did the little cooing creature start singing a song and dancing to it? I have decided a theme for her party and here's a little peek. Yes, bright colors alert!

Also, out of the topic, my current girl crush, Clemence Poesy (oh, I could mumble that name whole day through), best known as Fleur Delacour (oh, I could mumble that name a whole year long) from Harry Potter series.